Tag Archives: Strong Ale

Stone Double Bastard is for masochists. Even at an arm’s length away, I can pick up on the obscene hops and substantial malt. It’s just so big. Complex doesn’t even begin to describe the flavor. Pine, toffee, coffee, citrus, toasted rye bread. And that’s all before the hops make you pucker. As expected from Stone, the 11% ABV makes you sit up and notice, too.

A collaborative brew, this merger between 21st Amendment and Ninkasi is an English Stong Ale. Firmly between a Pale Ale and Barleywine. While it seems to be marketing more as a 21st Amendment brew, it’s not on their website. But it is on Ninkasi’s.

Color is an orange/brown, thin beige head. Malt is a bit on the sweet side with a big hit of hops. Nutty finish. Dates come through even more as it warms.

Busy and tasty. I’d be interested to see more collaborations between these two.

As expected from Dogfish Head, Immort Ale is a style all its own. Maple syrup, smoked barley, juniper, and vanilla are all added to the brew before it’s aged in oak barrels.

Nice dark brown color here, even without much head. The aroma is very strong with cooked sugar, raisins, and a lot of alcohol. The flavor is, of course, unique. The maple syrup really does come through along with the vanilla. There is no attempt to mask the alcohol here. You know you’re drinking a beer that clocks in at 11% ABV. The flavors tend to mellow out and blend more as it warms. Lots of bourbon character noticeable, too.

Complex, boozy, very tasty, and above all, unique. What else would you expect from Dogfish Head?

Clearly, every craft brewery wants to sell tons of beer and make huge profits, but there is a sense of camaraderie amongst craft brewers in a love of great beer. That love is displayed here with the Dogfish Head and Sierra Nevada collaboration brew, Life and Limb. Heck, it even is its own website!

The expectations are high here and the beer starts off big with a huge off white head and deep mahogany color. Lots of spice and dark fruit in the smell. Tons of sweet malt, maple syrup, some smokiness, anise, followed by a long, dry finish. The hops eventually give a bit of a kick along with some cherries.

Big, complex, well balanced. There’s some boozy warmth, but I wouldn’t guess it is 10%. Delicious and a great of example of a beer brewed with passion, knowledge, and love. Get it